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Honda Xlr 125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda Xlr 125 car check

Is the Honda Xlr 125 reliable? We analysed 2,964 real MOT tests across 389 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Honda Xlr 125? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,964 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.0%
Typical Mileage
14,891mi
Annual Mileage
850mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Honda Xlr 125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Xlr 125.

Honda Xlr 125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda Xlr 125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda Xlr 125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda Xlr 125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

70.9%
2002
74.4%
2001
77.3%
2000
72%
1999
74.9%
1998
70.8%
1997

Honda Xlr 125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda Xlr 125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 82
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 63
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 51
reflector on motorcycle missing 49
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 42
Drive chain worn to excess 38
Headlamp aim too high 37
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 36
Drive chain excessively loose 34
Direction indicators not working 31

Honda Xlr 125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda Xlr 125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
197 mi/yr
Typical
850 mi/yr
Average
1,732 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,337 mi/yr

Honda Xlr 125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Xlr 125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 364 70.9% 8,495 14,145 22,478
2001 681 74.4% 7,147 13,314 19,984
2000 313 77.3% 6,948 12,349 19,594
1999 604 72.0% 11,333 16,948 24,816
1998 801 74.9% 8,705 15,074 22,646
1997 106 70.8% 8,893 16,011 21,808

How Long Does a Honda Xlr 125 Last?

Based on 389 Honda Xlr 125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.8 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Honda Xlr 125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda Xlr 125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
14,891 mi
75th Percentile
22,317 mi
95th Percentile
34,969 mi
Max Recorded
196,079 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Xlr 125

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2000

77.3% MOT pass rate from 313 tests

Year to avoid
1997

70.8% MOT pass rate from 106 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda Xlr 125 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.3% across 313 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda Xlr 125 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda Xlr 125 THIS CAR 74.0% 2,964 14,891 mi 29 yrs
Honda Civic 73.7% 9,391,580 74,987 mi 34 yrs
Honda Jazz 81% 5,740,892 48,635 mi 24 yrs
Honda Cr-v 78.5% 4,177,643 80,499 mi 29 yrs
Piaggio MP3 300 Lt Touring 88.1% 1,339 17,122 mi 15 yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Xlr 125 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda Xlr 125?

The Honda Xlr 125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.0% across 2,964 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Honda Xlr 125 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (82 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (63), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (51). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Honda Xlr 125 owner drives around 850 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Honda Xlr 125 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Honda Xlr 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Xlr 125 reliable?
Based on 2,964 MOT tests, the Honda Xlr 125 has a 74.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Honda Xlr 125?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda Xlr 125 do per year?
The typical Honda Xlr 125 does around 850 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda Xlr 125 last?
Most Honda Xlr 125 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 389 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda Xlr 125?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda Xlr 125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda Xlr 125 is 2000 with a 77.3% pass rate across 313 tests.